Chargers, Rivers Agree To Contract

NFL - The Beat

Rookie QB Phillip Rivers ended his lengthy holdout, agreeing to terms on six-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on Monday night.

The contract will pay Rivers $40.5 million, including a $14.25 million signing bonus. He can earn $10 million more in incentives.

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said Rivers was driving to the team's training camp from San Diego and was expected to sign the contract late Monday or early today.

Rivers missed four weeks of training camp and two preseason games.

BROWN BREAKS LEFT LEG

Three-time Pro Bowl LB Chad Brown broke his left leg during practice with the Seattle Seahawks.

Coach Mike Holmgren said Brown will undergo surgery on his left fibula as soon as possible. Doctors believe Brown likely will miss the first four games of the regular season.

The Seahawks hope he can return for their Oct. 17 contest at New England.

RAMS LOSE FISHER IN LOSS

Trent Green hit 10 of 12 passes, and Priest Holmes averaged 5.2 yards on six carries as the first-team offense scored on two of its three possessions in a 24-7 home exhibition victory over St. Louis.

Adding to a bad night for the Rams was starting CB Travis Fisher's broken arm.

The former UCF standout, who tied for the team lead last year with four interceptions, was injured in the first half. He also tied for the NFL lead with 205 yards in interception returns in 2003.

RAVENS' CENTER INJURED

Baltimore Ravens C Mike Flynn broke his right collarbone Monday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Flynn had missed just one start to injury since becoming a full-time starter in 2000.

Fourth-year G Casey Rabach is expected to take over the position.

WOODSON INJURED

Charles Woodson's holdout will probably keep the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback out of the Oakland Raiders' season opener.

New Raiders Coach Norv Turner expressed doubt that Woodson, who is still away from the team, would be able to play when the Raiders start the season at Pittsburgh on Sept. 12.

BILLS' HENRY DAY TO DAY

RB Willis McGahee could get his chance to be the Buffalo Bills starter sooner than anticipated.

Travis Henry is listed as day to day, with bruised ribs, after missing practice Monday. That opens the door for McGahee to potentially make his first NFL start in Buffalo's preseason game at Indianapolis on Saturday.

ELSEWHERE

Philadelphia signed 34-year-old Dorsey Levens to a one-year deal to help fill the spot vacated at running back when Correll Buckhalter was lost for the season with a knee injury. . . . New Orleans QB Aaron Brooks, who missed the first preseason game, will probably miss the third as well. He re-injured a ligament in the top of his thigh against the Packers. . . . Green Bay signed 40-year-old punter Bryan Barker, a former Pro Bowl selection who was waived by the Washington Redskins during the offseason. Barker will compete with rookie B.J. Sander to be the Packers' punter.